The inherited illness affects about one in every 500 African Americans.

Hearns-Quinones said instead of excruciating pain attacks, organ failure and a potentially early death, she now looks forward to being on the move two months after stem cell therapy.

"I was just sitting at the dinner table with my family and I said, 'I feel good,' and I was like, 'You guys, wanna go for a run?' That's what I told my husband, 'You wanna go for a run?'" Hearns-Quinones said.